Al Nassr’s sporting director has addressed rumours of a departure for star player Cristiano Ronaldo.
Club executive and Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro told the media that the two parties remain in negotiations after a story claimed his exit would be confirmed.
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Leading Spanish outlet MARCA reported that Ronaldo’s exit would be made official on Thursday with his contract expiring on June 30.
Hierro has now contradicted that story, saying: “We are still in negotiations with Cristiano. Hopefully we can find a solution on a renewal.
“Cris is now with his national team, with a few days off. His contract runs until June 30th.
“We’ll continue working so that all parties can reach an understanding.
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“Without a doubt, everyone is working to ensure he continues here.
“There is a strong push from the entire country for him to stay and that will also be very important for him.”
Ronaldo fuelled rumours of a departure with a cryptic social media post after Al Nassr’s final game of the season.
Posting on social media after another trophyless campaign, Ronaldo wrote: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
Just days earlier Ronaldo was linked to a departure by an unlikely source – FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Speaking during a YouTube livestream the Swiss said ‘there have been discussions’ about Ronaldo playing in this summer’s Club World Cup – despite Al Nassr not qualifying.
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Ronaldo’s representatives slammed the comment, which was seen of a sign of his commitment to Al Nassr.
Ronaldo was the first to trigger a big money influx to the Saudi Pro League in January 2023, leaving Manchester United to become the highest paid footballer in the world on a reported £173million per-year salary.
He signed a two-and-a-half year contract, which expires in just over a month after a near-trophyless stint in the Middle East.
The 40-year-old has won just the Arab Club Champions Cup – an irregular format-changing competition.
Instead, the influx he triggered saw Al Ittihad and Al Hilal dominate the league and cups, leading to a final day 3-2 defeat to Al Fateh seemingly becoming the final straw.
However, football’s all-time top scorer could well stay if Al Nassr have things their own way.
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Ronaldo could also continue away from Europe with links to Brazilian sides, including Botafogo who are owned by Crystal Palace and Lyon majority shareholder John Textor.
One of their Brazilian rivals, Flamengo, have already ruled themselves out of the running.
Director of football, Jose Boto, said: “We don’t look favourably on the arrival of a player, whether it’s Cristiano or anyone else, just to play in the Club World Cup.
“We don’t believe that, in terms of the group, it will have a positive impact. We’re going to try to reinforce in this window for the World Cup, but the main objective is for them to be reinforcements for the rest of the season, not just for the Club World Cup.
“My idea and that of the coach [former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis] for the club’s marketing and the expansion of the brand is different [to signing Ronaldo].
“We have very clear objectives: to win the league, to try to win the Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil. To try to win everything if possible. If not, try to win two of the three major competitions here.
“Making an investment that could jeopardize the remainder of the season, from our sporting perspective, is not a good idea.”
talkSPORT understands that Liverpool winger Luis Diaz is a top candidate to replace Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
